Paclobutrazol induces the concurrent accumulation of chrysolaminarin and lipids in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Paclobutrazol is a plant growth regulator and inhibitor of endogenous gibberellin synthesis.It is a powerful inhibitor of vegetative growth by changing the photosynthetic rate and plant hormone levels,thereby affecting plant growth and development.In this study,the effects of paclobutrazol on the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum were investigated.Results show that 2.5-mg/L and 10-mg/L paclobutrazol significantly inhibited the algal growth by inhibiting chlorophyll synthesis,which affects photosynthesis.The antioxidant system,including catalase(CAT)and glutathione peroxidase(GPx)was severely damaged.Chrysolaminarin content was significantly elevated and doubled up to 127 mg/g dry cell weight(DCW)by 10-mg/L paclobutrazol treatment.In combination with transcriptomic analysis,paclobutrazol was demonstrated to play a regulatory role in the accumulation of chrysolaminarin and neutral lipids.